The "Izmir Jewish Heritage Project," officially known as the "Cultural Wealth of İzmir - Sustaining Jewish Heritage," was launched on 1 August 2020. Led by the Izmir Jewish Community Foundation and funded by the European Commission, the project aimed to safeguard Jewish heritage as part of Izmir's broader cultural wealth. The Kentimiz Izmir Association served as a key partner. Over 41 months, a wide range of activities were undertaken to preserve the Jewish cultural heritage of Izmir and ensure its transmission to future generations.

As part of the project:

• Restoration plans were developed for the Hevra and Foresteros synagogues, which were built in the 17th century but had since fallen into a dilapidated state. Located in the Havralar District of Izmir's Historic City Centre, these synagogues form part of a unique four-synagogue complex facing a shared courtyard, with no known parallels worldwide. Efforts were made to secure recognition for this complex as a centre for cultural heritage, tourism, and intercultural dialogue, both in Turkey and internationally.

• A new platform was established to strengthen communication networks at the local, national, and international levels. Activities were carried out to enhance the platform’s capacity for interaction, and a centre was set up to support its activities.

• Four books were published on topics including Izmir Sephardic Stories, Izmir Sephardic Women, the Jewish Press in Izmir, and Traditional Synagogue Textiles.

• A series of conferences, workshops, training programmes, and study visits were organised.

• Additionally, efforts were made to build institutional capacity and raise awareness of this heritage through the development of a corporate identity, a dedicated website, brochures, short films, and other initiatives.

You can visit the project's Websites, Facebook ve Instagram pages to see the project work up close.